Moldovan energy regulatory agency to take decision on new tariffs after public consideration of external audit reports

Chisinau, 28 October /MOLDPRES/ - The Administrative Board of the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) will take a decision on the tariffs for electricity and gas after a public consideration of audit reports unveiled by companies from this sector. ANRE informed that the public debates on the audit reports concerning the calculation of the new rates would start next week.

The ANRE Administrative Board on 3 September 2015 ruled to suspend, for a 60-day period, its decisions from 18 July 2015 on the approval of the regulated tariffs for distribution and supply of electric energy and gas. The regulatory authority recommended that the companies carry out an external, with the involvement of world famous companies, in order to remove all suspicions about the correctness of the calculations made when setting the new tariffs.    

ANRE specified that it would additional inform, on its webpage, also the time of holding the public discussions, and would publish the external audit reports received by the Agency. The enterprises RED Union Fenosa, Gas Natural Fenosa Energy Supply and Moldelectrica have presented external audit reports so far.  

At the meeting on 18 July, the energy regulatory authority ruled to increase the electricity rates by 30-37 per cent and the gas rates - by 15.6 per cent.  The concerned decision was suspended for 60 days, at a recommendation by the Supreme Security Council, a petition by the National Trade Unions Confederation, as well as following several thousands of solicitations received from residents.

ANRE on 3 September said that "following the completion of the external audit, the Board will consider the unveiled assessments, after which, depending on their results, the Agency will return to its decisions from 18 July 2015 on the approval of new tariffs for electric energy and gas."

The mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on a visit to Moldova on 22 September - 6 October 2015, recommended that the authorities undertake "important steps, in order to enhance the energy efficiency." The postponing of the adjusting of the tariffs, according to IMF experts, generates losses for the energy sector. The adjusted rates for electricity, gas and thermal energy should enter into force till the beginning of the cold season. It is important that the rates' adjusting be accompanied by a well-directed social assistance, in order to protect the most vulnerable segments of the residents, the IMF mission added.

(Reporter V. Bercu, editor A. Raileanu)